b. 1980 Loughborough, Leicestershire.
DATE OF CGC ACTION: 08/2009 Basharan, Afghanistan.
Marc K Giles CGC
Marc Giles was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire in 1980. In August 2009, he was serving with the Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan when he would be awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions in Afghanistan.
Sergeant Giles (as he was then) was on a joint patrol with Warriors of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Basharan to the north of Lashkar Gar. The OMLT Commander was trapped in the killing zone and Giles took command. Within minutes, an ANA Warrior moved forward with the OMLT commander was seriously wounded. He dashed across open ground grabbed the casualty, threw him over his shoulders and ran with him back across the killing zone and to the emergency rendezvous.
As a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) drew close to the fight, Giles went to guide them with 2 Warriors but was almost immediately blown off his feet and thrown violently against a compound wall. Composed, calm and fully aware of the danger the entire patrol faced, he ordered the QRF to halt, coordinated the patrol’s defense and, still recovering from the effects of the lED blast and under sporadic small arms fire, personally conducted a clearance to mark a safe route to marry up the patrol with the QRF. Giles’s actions were selfless and courageous.
Giles was invested with his CGC at Buckingham Palace from the then Prince Charles in 2010. He remained in the Army following the tour of Afghanistan. He received promotions to Warrant Officer Class 1, then in 2024, was promoted to Captain. In the New Years Honours List in January 2024, he received the Meritorious Service Medal.
CGC CITATION:
The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards for gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st April 2009 to 30th
September 2009:
September 2009:
CGC
ARMY
Sergeant Alan Gordon Dennis, The Mercian Regiment, 25042613.
Gunner Steven William Gadsby, Royal Regiment of Artillery, 25145681.
Sergeant Marc Kevin Giles, The Mercian Regiment, 25061745.
Serjeant Jaime Moncho, The Rifles, 25046879.
Lance Bombardier Gary Prout, Royal Regiment of Artillery, 25109497.
Lance Corporal Kyle Patrick Smith, The Mercian Regiment, 25204998.
ARMY
Sergeant Alan Gordon Dennis, The Mercian Regiment, 25042613.
Gunner Steven William Gadsby, Royal Regiment of Artillery, 25145681.
Sergeant Marc Kevin Giles, The Mercian Regiment, 25061745.
Serjeant Jaime Moncho, The Rifles, 25046879.
Lance Bombardier Gary Prout, Royal Regiment of Artillery, 25109497.
Lance Corporal Kyle Patrick Smith, The Mercian Regiment, 25204998.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: WITH RECIPIENT.
